Afro-Futurism: Costume Design and Textiles of Black Panther

For me Black Panther was a wonderland of hairstyles, tattoos, makeup, body modification, and costume design. My all-time fave, Okoye’s Red Dress as seen below and in the Casino Fight Scene and later Car Chase scene.

A Superhero Movie based on a Marvel Comic character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Black Panther himself is a Black superhero who first appeared in a Fantastic Four series in 1966. His first featured comic was in 1973, in a series called Jungle Action written by Don MacGregor.

Aside from Blade (if you can count that) and Barack Obama (an IRL superhero), Black Panther is the first major blockbuster superhero film of this caliber in U.S. History that features a Black superhero and predominantly Black cast and crew.

It has also sparked an era called Afro-Futurism which includes both a movement of sorts as well as a fashion trend. A mix of old and new, tradition and technology. A representation of modern African Culture and possibly an allegory for today seen in all cultures.

The modern yet traditional silhouette on Queen Ramonda.
The 3/4-length jackets with mandarin collar and shogun pants on T’Challa
The purple and the draping on Zuri with the ashy face paint.
The feather earrings, high collars, pops of color. The anime-style futuristic concepts for Shuri.

After Asia, Africa is the second largest continent in both population and landmass. According to the United Nations, there are 54 countries in Africa. My Lyft driver from Burkina Faso told me there are thousands of languages spoken on the African Continent. Distinct languages, not dialects. Each with their respective cultures and traditions.

Here are a few of the most notable. Many of the listed are the best of the best in their respective industries. And almost every one of them is African-American or of African descent. As ludicrous as it may sound, it is one of the first blockbuster films by a major motion picture company with a majority Black cast and crew! I remember thinking to myself is that true? It can’t be. It’s 2018. While this may seem incredulous, it is true. And it’s a Marvel superhero film no less!

I’m a tough critic. Plus, I am no superfan of superhero movies. Although, I did love Deadpool because it was just a funny, snarky, entertaining action film. And like Ryan Reynolds (sue me!). Nor do I like Disney (or Pixar! *dodges tomatoes*). Despite its best of intentions I’m sure, I’ve always felt Disney had a history of whitewashing its films. Mulan is an example. Subtle bends in culture and perception like that in mainstream media are what perpetuate inaccurate stereotypes IMHO.

So I was weary. But this time around I felt the most important thing was that Disney and Marvel felt this was relevant and important to bring.

It’s a little violent for my tastes. Some of the movie was too dark. Especially the big fight scenes like in the Casino, the car chase, and in the train tracks.

I’ve always been into prints and textiles, especially traditional cultural designs and techniques. e.g. African Print Textiles like the vibrant geometric Kente Cloth with symbolic colors. As well as cultural garb as represented by the tribes of the Wakandan Kingdom.